SCHUMER ANNOUNCES RPI PRESIDENT MARTIN A. SCHMIDT APPOINTED TO COMMERCE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE OVERSEEING BUILD OUT OF THE FUTURE OF AMERICA’S CHIPS INDUSTRY

U.S. Department Of Commerce’s Industrial Advisory Committee – Created After Passage Of Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law Which Boosted Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry – Provides Guidance To Commerce Secretary About Research & Development Critical To The Future Of America’s CHIPS Industry

Schumer Says RPI President Schmidt’s Decades Of Leadership In Microelectronics Research Will Support America’s Efforts To Boost Competitiveness For Microelectronics Industry

Schumer: RPI President Schmidt Is A Leader For Microelectronics Research & Excellent Addition To Committee To Boost The Nation’s And New York’s CHIPS Industry

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced the appointment of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Martin A. Schmidt to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC), which was created by the original authorization of the federal CHIPS programs that Schumer pushed for and led to passage. The IAC provides advice to the Commerce Department on the science, technology, and workforce training needs of the nation’s domestic microelectronics industry, the national strategy on microelectronics research, the research and development programs and other advanced microelectronics activities funded through the CHIPS & Science Law, and opportunities for new public-private partnerships.

“RPI President Schmidt is a leader in electrical engineering and microelectronics research, and I was proud to push for him to be added to the Industrial Advisory Committee so he can take on this leadership role in shaping the nation’s competitiveness in the semiconductor and broader microelectronics industries,” said Senator Schumer. “I wrote the CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY in mind, and I’m thrilled to see an Upstate NY leader recognized on a national level for his expertise and his experience tapped to position the nation and New York to lead the world in the semiconductor industry. RPI President Schmidt is an excellent addition to the IAC, and together we are working to invest in critical R&D programs and assets like Albany NanoTech and strengthen workforce development to boost America’s global competitiveness now and long into the future.”

“Upstate New York has established itself as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, and I am proud to see one of our leaders bringing his expertise to the national Industrial Advisory Committee,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With the guidance of skilled engineers like President Schmidt, we can continue to expand American microelectronics manufacturing initiatives to ensure that the U.S. maintains a competitive edge for years to come. I am proud to have recommended President Schmidt for this role, and I know he will be an excellent representative for the Quantum Valley and all of New York on the Committee.”

“Congratulations to President Schmidt on his deserved appointment to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Industrial Advisory Committee,” Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) said. “I consider myself lucky to represent a region that is such a strong leader in the semiconductor industry, from manufacturing facilities and R&D programs to our cutting-edge educational institutions, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. That’s why I pushed hard in the House to advance the CHIPS and Science Act and deliver the investments needed to supercharge our chip development, and why I called for the appointment of President Schmidt to the advisory committee. President Schmidt’s appointment further solidifies our region as a trailblazer in this growing industry. I look forward to working with him and Majority Leader Schumer to further drive innovation and job growth in semiconductor manufacturing.”

“I applaud Senator Schumer and our entire federal delegation for their leadership on CHIPS, and am honored to serve on the CHIPS Industrial Advisory Committee and advise Secretary Raimondo on strengthening the U.S. semiconductor industry through innovative and strategic research and development,” said Martin A. Schmidt, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “Having been involved in semiconductor research and education for my entire career, it is a privilege to represent the nation’s first science and technological research university in this endeavor, working together with industry, government, and other educational institutions to create new and promising opportunities in semiconductors now and in the years to come.”

After eight years as the provost at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he oversaw the creation of the university’s Schwartzman College of Computing, Dr. Schmidt became the President at RPI. He is a leader in electrical engineering and microelectronics research, and as an inventor and entrepreneur, he holds over 30 issued U.S. patents and has been associated with starting seven companies.

The Industrial Advisory Committee comprises leaders from a broad range of disciplines in the microelectronics field, including academia, the semiconductor industry, federal laboratories, and other areas. Currently, representatives from GlobalFoundries, IBM, Micron Technologies, Wolfspeed, and Applied Materials are among other members of the IAC.

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congressman Tonko previously wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo supporting the nomination of RPI President Schmidt to the CHIPS Industrial Advisory Committee. A copy is below:

Dear Secretary Raimondo,

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to implement the critical CHIPS and Science Act, including establishing the CHIPS Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC).

We would like to recommend that Martin Schmidt, the President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) be added to the IAC. Marty would be a strong addition to the group advising you on implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act.

Some projections are that nearly 35,000 jobs requiring engineers, computer scientists and Ph.Ds will go unfilled over the next five years if we don’t change the trajectory of educating students at our academic institutions. As well, another 25,000 technicians with two-year degrees will be needed. Marty has the experience in this area and how to develop the diverse and inclusive workforce needed to fill these jobs in the industry.

Marty is a rare voice that is fully grounded in science research, including semiconductors, and at the same time has extensive administrative and leadership experience. Marty holds a Ph.D in electrical engineering from MIT and was the provost at MIT and now at RPI, schools famous for making a difference in the world educating the technology workforce of the nation.

As you move forward to establish new public-private partnerships and stand up the National Semiconductor Technology Center, the role of universities will become even more important to implementation of CHIPS.

We would like to strongly support the nomination of President Martin Schmidt to the CHIPS Industrial Advisory Committee.

###